Childminder in Swindon

Website: www.ofsted.gov.uk This document may be reproduced in whole or in part for non-commercial educational purposes, provided that the information quoted is reproduced without adaptation and the source and date of publication are stated. Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number EY235378 Inspection date 14/04/2009 Inspector Nikki Whinton

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Type of setting Childminder This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

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Introduction

This inspection was carried out by Ofsted under Sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 on the quality and standards of the registered early years provision. ‘Early years provision’ refers to provision regulated by Ofsted for children from birth to 31 August following their fifth birthday (the early years age group). The registered person must ensure that this provision complies with the statutory framework for children’s learning, development and welfare, known as the Early Years Foundation Stage.

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Introduction

The report includes information on any complaints about the childcare provision which Ofsted has received since the last inspection or registration whichever is the later, which require Ofsted or the provider to take action in Annex C.

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Introduction

The provider must provide a copy of this report to all parents with children at the setting where reasonably practicable. The provider must provide a copy of the report to any other person who asks for one, but may charge a fee for this service (The Childcare (Inspection) Regulations 2008 regulations 9 and 10).

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Introduction

The setting also makes provision for children older than the early years age group which is registered on the voluntary and/or compulsory part(s) of the Childcare Register. This report does not include an evaluation of that provision, but a comment about compliance with the requirements of the Childcare Register is included in Annex B. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

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Description of the childminding

The childminder was registered in 1988. She lives with her husband in Chiseldon, near Swindon. She is registered on the Early Years Register and the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register. The whole of the property is used for childminding and there is a fully enclosed rear garden available for outside play.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of six minded children under the age of eight years at any one time, including three children in the early years age range. She is currently minding seven children in the early years age range, all of whom attend on a part-time basis. She also cares for older children aged from six to eight years. The childminder walks to local schools to take and collect children. She attends the local carer and toddler group. The family has a dog.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is a member of the National Childminding Association.

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Overall effectiveness of the early years provision

Overall the quality of the provision is satisfactory. The childminder knows her minded children well and has a positive relationship with them. She has a good understanding of their differing needs and home circumstances. She offers an inclusive provision where each child is valued as an individual. The childminder is aware of the areas for further improvement and has the capacity to develop the quality of the care and learning offered to the children.

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further?

To further improve the early years provision the registered person should:

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further?

 ensure that observational assessments are undertaken on all of the children and across all aspects of the curriculum. Use the information obtained to plan for the next steps in each child's learning  develop the partnership with parents and other key early years providers to ensure they are encouraged to share what they know about a child's progress in order to inform assessments  extend the record of risk assessments to include each type of outing undertaken by the children  increase the provision of activities and resources to support children's awareness of diversity.

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provision

The childminder is an experienced early years professional who has completed all mandatory training. She knows her strengths and understands the need to develop the assessment system. She has a clear understanding of her important role in safeguarding children and knows the correct procedures to follow if concerned This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 about the welfare of a child. The childminder has a positive rapport with the parents. They are provided with written information about her provision and its policies and procedures prior to a child entering her care. There are daily opportunities for informal discussion about children's achievements or care needs. However, parents do not have the opportunity to review their child's observational assessments.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

The childminder offers a provision that is clean, appropriately maintained and of a suitable temperature. The children appear confident and settled. They are encouraged to be independent learners, making decisions for themselves regarding the resources and activities they wish to explore. The children have good social skills and are learning to share resources and to take turns. They benefit from the childminder's active participation in their play, such as when involved in table top games including 'Coconut drop' or 'Match and turn'. She uses such opportunities to reinforce and extend children's counting and colour recognition skills.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

The childminder plans a regular programme of activities for the children. These include outings to a soft play centre, the Wash Pool, Coate Water and a toddler group. However, children have limited access to resources or activities in order to increase their awareness of diversity. The childminder has started to undertake observational assessments of some of the children attending. However, these are not being used effectively to identify a child's actual stage of development across all aspects of the curriculum or to plan for their next steps. In addition, parents and other key early years provisions attended by some of the minded children, are not encouraged to share what they know about a child's progress, in order to help inform assessments.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

The childminder offers the children a wide choice of nutritious snacks and light meals that enable them to increase their awareness of healthy eating. Dietary issue or parental wishes are discussed as part of the registration process. These discussions are recorded and any needs accommodated. There is a range of measures to support children's safety. A gate prevents children's unsupervised entry to the kitchen, a fire blanket is immediately available in an emergency and potentially hazardous cleaning materials are inaccessible to children. In addition, through practical experiences such as taking part in fire drills, children are gaining an awareness of how to keep themselves safe. However, whilst a record of risk assessments is maintained, it does not include each type of outing experienced by the children. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

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Annex A: record of inspection judgements

The key inspection judgements and what they mean

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Annex A: record of inspection judgements

Grade 1 is Outstanding: this aspect of the provision is of exceptionally high quality Grade 2 is Good: this aspect of the provision is strong Grade 3 is Satisfactory: this aspect of the provision is sound Grade 4 is Inadequate: this aspect of the provision is not good enough

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of children in the Early Years Foundation Stage?

How well does the provision promote inclusive practice? 3 The capacity of the provision to maintain continuous improvement.

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Foundation Stage led and managed?

How effective is the setting’s self-evaluation, including the steps taken to promote improvement? How well does the setting work in partnership with parents and others? How well are children safeguarded? 2

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Years Foundation Stage promoted?

How well are children helped to stay safe? 2 How well are children helped to be healthy? 2 How well are children helped to enjoy and achieve? 3 How well are children helped to make a positive contribution? How well are children helped develop skills that will contribute to their future economic well-being?

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Years Foundation Stage promoted?

procedures set out in the guidance available from Ofsted’s website: www.ofsted.gov.uk This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

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Annex B: the Childcare Register

The provider confirms that the requirements of the compulsory part of the Childcare Register are: Met

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Annex B: the Childcare Register

The provider confirms that the requirements of the voluntary part of the Childcare Register are: Met This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

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Annex C: complaint/s made to Ofsted

This section of the report includes details of any complaint/s made to Ofsted when:  we took action for the provider to meet the requirements of the Early Years Register; or  we asked the provider to take action in order to meet the requirements of the Early Years Register; or  the provider had already taken any necessary action to meet the requirements of the Early Years Register.

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Annex C: complaint/s made to Ofsted

We will not report on any complaint where the provider met the requirements of the Early Years Register or did not require any action by Ofsted or the registered provider.

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Detail of the complaint/s

Since the last inspection there have been no complaints made to Ofsted.

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Detail of the complaint/s

The provider is required to keep a record of complaints made by parents, which they can see on request. The complaints record may contain complaints other than those made to Ofsted.

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